Restaurant Influencers

Growing a Business

Her Restaurant Business Is Worth $100 Million — Here's Her Unconventional Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Pinky Cole, founder of Slutty Vegan, talks about going from TV producer to restaurant owner, leaning into failure and the value of good PR.

Science & Technology

After Co-Founding a Successful Restaurant Group, He Turned to Tech to Simplify the Checkout Experience

Victor Lugger's Big Mamma restaurant group took off – and now he's working on a new project.

Growing a Business

He Was Once Head Writer of 'The Simpsons.' Now, He's the Gordon Ramsay of Fast Food — Here's How This TV Exec Found an Unlikely Career as an Influencer.

Bill Oakley wrote and produced 'The Simpsons' for years. Now, he's the center of a burgeoning community of food-obsessed fans.

Growing a Business

This Chef's Unfiltered Approach to Food Found Success Online. Now, Her Grocery Store Brings Her Brand to Life: 'I Don't Want to Live on the Internet.'

Alison Roman discusses her growing list of digital projects — and her Upstate New York grocery store, First Bloom.

Growing a Business

How This Michelin-Starred Chef Overcame Loss and Hardships to Achieve Stardom

Chef, author and philanthropist Vikas Khanna discusses turning failure into triumph, creating a literary masterpiece and hosting "MasterChef India."

Growing a Business

How This Beverage Industry CEO Used His Passion for Hip-Hop to Build Partnerships With Jay-Z, Rick Ross and More

Sovereign Brand's Brett Berish discusses embracing authenticity, learning from "failures" and partnering with music icons.

Growing a Business

This Food Network Mainstay Feeds His Passion for Fast-Paced Restaurant Life in Just 3 Days a Month

Celebrity chef Marc Murphy discusses being on the Food Network, operating a pop-up restaurant and the gratification of being a business owner.

Starting a Business

These Husband-and-Wife Co-Founders Started a Food Brand to Share Chinese Culture — Then a Smart Rebrand Took Their Company to the Next Level

Jennifer Liao of MìLà on starting a food business, amplifying modern Chinese food and using storytelling to grow a brand.

Growing a Business

How This CEO Breathed Life Into a 75-Year-Old California Ice Cream Brand Without Losing Its Nostalgic Identity

McConnell's Fine Ice Creams CEO Michael Palmer talks about revitalizing the brand for a new era and rethinking social media strategies.

Growing a Business

This CEO Was Tasked With Helping an Iconic Hawaiian Brand Regain Its Footing. Here's How He Used Storytelling to Do It.

Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, shares how he's helped take the already well-loved brand to the mainstream.

Growing a Business

Shaquille O'Neal Used an Unconventional Strategy to Start His Chicken Restaurant — Here's Why It Worked

The NBA Hall of Famer leveraged his 35 million Instagram followers to build buzz around Big Chicken before it even launched.

Growing a Business

This Chicago Native Wants to Build the In-N-Out of Tacos

Taylor Mason, owner of Taylor's Tacos, talks about how a big break on national television helped take her brand to the next level.

Growing a Business

The 'Billionaire Chef' Wants To Bring West African Cuisine to the World — Here's How

For chef Tolu Erogbogbo, being a billionaire is about mindset — not just money.

Growing a Business

This Celebrity Chef Got His Start Cooking for His Football Teammates — Here's How He Turned It Into a Career

Chef Eddie Jackson talks about the advantages of food trucks, being mentored by Bobby Flay and streamlining operations with Toast.

Growing a Business

New Media Is the Future — That's Why This Company Is Creating a Podcast Network for Restaurants

Informa Restaurant & Food Group editorial director Sam Oches on hosting the National Restaurant Show, social media strategy and creating new media for the hospitality industry.